Refrigeration



Jan. 23, 1945.

P. P. ANDERSON, JR

REFRIGERATION 'Filed April 29. 1 941 xNvENToR duwm,

@ATTORNEY Patented Jan.23, 1945 omiso. snils PATENT 'o1-Fics REFRIGERATION Philip P. Anderson, Jr., Evansville, Ind., lassigner to Servei, Inc., New York; N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application April 29, 1941, Serial No. 390,872

Claims. (Cl. (i2-1.19)

This invention relates to refrigeration, and more particularly to refrigeration systems of the' absorption type.

It is an object of the invention to provide anmal operation of the absorber 'and evaporator may be disturbed.

The collecting of non-condens'ible gases in the condenser within a reasonable limit is not objectionable, and this is particularly true in aktwopressure system in which the condenser operates at a higher pressure than the absorber. By collecting non-condensible gases'in the condenser the gases occupy a considerably smaller space since such gases are subjected to a higher pressure in the condenser than in the `absorber.

When non-condensible gasesv are allowed to collect in the condenser'the-effectiveness' of the con denser to liquefy refrigerant vapor 'is not impaired so long as the quantity of non-condensible gases collected vtherein doesnot become unreason' ably large. In order toprevent too large a quanthe condenser. a vacuum pump or other suitable device may be connected to or otherwise asso'.

ciated with the condenser to leect withdrawal of non-condenslble-gases collected therein.-v

In accordance with this invention non-condensible gases are transferred from the absorber to the condenser withthe aid of absorption liquid s which is anlactive fluid within the system. This.

is accomplished by continuously and automatically utilizing a. relatively small part of the ab.

sorptibnliquidstream ilowin to the absorber tity of non-condensiblegases from collecting in tical riser tubes il having the lower ends thereof communicating with a space l1 and the upper A from the generator to entrain non-condensible gases in the absorber. The entraining liquid is diverted automatically by simple gravity action with the non-condensible gases being entrained in such a manner that small. quantities of the gas are trapped by sli-18S or blocks of liquid which A Vpass downwardly in a vertically extending con- Y" duit. libe trapped gas is compressed and allowedto escape to the condenser at-'a higher pressure from the lower part of the conduit, while the divertedliquid effecting transfer of the non-condensible gases from the absorber joins the streamA of absorption Vliquid iiowingI from .the absorber back to the generator. 1

The invention, together with other objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following vdescription 'taken in connection with the accompanying drawingforming apart of this specification, andv Fig. l more or less diagrammatically illustrates a refrigeration system embodying the invention; and 1 Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of parts shown` ,in Fig. l to illustrate the invention morev clearly.

Referring to Fig. 1 the present invention is embodied in a two-pressure absorption refrigeration system. like that described in application Serial No'. 239,762 of A. R.Tho1nas and P. P.

Anderson, Jr., led, November 10, 19I:-8,now Pat-'v ent No. 2,282,503,granted May 12, 1942. A System of 'this type operates at low pressures and`includes a generator or vapor expeller i0, a condenser II, an evaporator I2, and an absorber M which are interconnected'in such a manner that the pressure diierenti'al in the system is maintained by liquid columns.

The-disclosure in the aforementioned Thomas and Anderson application maybeconsidered as being incorporated in this application, and, if desired, reference may be had thereto for a detamed description for trie refrigeration system. In Fig.` 1 the generator il includes 'an outer 'shell I5 within which lare disposed a plurality of ver-,-

ends thereof extending into and above the bottom of avessel II. I'he space I! within shell I B forms I a. steam chamber about the tubes IB to' whichi steam issu'pplied through a conduit- 2|. The space 19 provides for full length heating of tubes i6, a. vent 2| being forme'dat the upper end of shell l5. conduit l! is tothe lower- .'part of shell' i5 i'or draining condensate from space I9.

,The system l(manettes at a partiarvacuum and contains awater solution ofrefriserant in absorbent 1lquid,such.as,'for example, a water solu-A tion of about 40% lithium chloride by weight- With steam being supplied through conduit 20 to-space I9 at atmospheric pressura'heat isap-` plied. to tubes il( wherely water vapor is expelled the above and from solution. The absorption liquid is raised by gas or vapor-lift action with the expelled water vapor forming a central core within an upwardly rising .annulus of the liquid. The, expelled water vapor rises more rapidly than the liquid with the liquid flowing along the inside walls of tubes I6.

The water vapor ilows upwardly through the tubes or risers I6 into vessel I8 which serves as a vapor separator. Due to bailiing in vessel I8, water vapor is separated from raised absorption solution and flows through conduit 23 into condenser Il. The condensate formed in condenser I I flows through a U-tube 24 into a flash chamber 25 and from the latter through a conduit 26 into evaporator I2, v

The evaporator I2 includes a plurality ofhorizontal banks of tubes 21 disposed one above the other and to which are secured heat transfer fins 28 to provide a relatively extensive heat transfer surface. The liquid owing to evaporator I2 is divided in any suitable manner for ow through the uppermost banks of tubes 21. The dividing of liquid may be eiected by providing a liquid distributing trough 29 into which the liquid flows through the conduit 28. The water passes through successively lower banks of tubes through suitable end connections which are open to permit escape of vapor from the tubes, and any excess liquid is discharged from the lowermost bank of tubes 21.

The Awater supplied to tubes 21 evaporates therein to produce a refrigerating or cooling effect with consequent absorption of heat from the surroundings, as from a stream of air flowing over the exterior surfaces of the tubes 21 and iins 28. The vapor formed in tubes 28 passes out into end headers lll which are connected at their lower ends to absorber I4. The ash chamthrough a conduit 32. 'Ihe entering absorption" liquid flows into a vessel 33 in which liquid is distributed laterally or cross-wise of a plurality of vertically disposed pipe banks 34 which are arranged alongside of each other. The liquid flows from vessel 3l through conduits 35 into a plurality of liquid holdersand distributors 36 which extend lengthwise of and above the unpermost horizontal branches of pipe banks 34. Absorption liquid is siphoned over the walls of the liquid holders 3B toeffect complete wetting of the uppermost pipe sections. Liquid drips from each horizontal pipe section onto the nextV lower pipe section` whereby all of the pipe sec-` tions are wetted with a nlm of liquid.

The water vapor formed in evaporator I2 passes through the headers 30 into the absorber I4 where it is absorbed by the absorption liquid -and, Vdue to such absorption of water vapor, the Y absorption liquid is diluted. The diluted absorption liquid iiows through a conduit I1, a first' passage in liquid heat .exchanger Il. conduit 39.

ase-moa solution is raised by gas or vapor-lift action in riser tubes I6, as explained above.

'I'he absorption liquid in vessel I8 is concentrated since Water vapor has been expelled there- This circulation of absorption liquid results from the raising of liquid by vapor-lift. action in vertical riser tubes IB, whereby the liquid can flow to absorber I4 and return from the latter to the ygenerator I0 by force of gravity.

'I'he vessel 40 is cylindrical in'shape and disposed about shell I5 of generator I0. ABy arranging vessel 40 to receive heat derived from the steam in space I9, preheatng of absorption liquid iiowing to generator III is effected. The upper part of vessel 4Ii is connected by 'a conduit 43 to vessel I8, so that the pressurein vessel 40 is equalized with the pressure in the upper part of generator I0 and condenser Il.

, The' heat liberated with absorption of water vapor in absorber I4 is transferred to a cooling medium, such as water, for example, which flows upward through the vertically disposed pipe' banks 34.

'I'he cooling medium enters the lower end s of the .pipe banks 34 through a conduit 44 and' leaves the upper ends of the pipe banks 34 through a conduit 45. The conduit 45 is connected to condenser II whereby the same cooling medium may be utilized to cool both condenser II and absorber I4, and from condenser II the cooling medium ilows through a 'conduit 46 to waste. l f

-Thevsystem operates at low pressures with the generator Ill and condenser I I operating at one pressure and the evaporatorV I2 and absorber I4 operating at a lower pressure, the pressure differential therebetween being "maintained by liquid columns. Thus, the liquid column formed in tube 24 maintains the pressure differential between condenser II and evaporator I2, the liquid column in conduit 31 maintains the pressure differential between the outlet of absorber I4 and generator II), and the liquid column formed in conduit 32 and connected parts including conduit 42 maintains the pressure differential between the inlet of the absorber and the upper part of generator Il. In operation,

the liquid columns may form in conduits 31, 42 anddown-leg of tube 24 to the levels 1:, y and z. for example. The conduits are of such size that ,restriction to gas ow' is effected without appreciably restricting ow of liquid.

'I'he liquid column formed in vessel 4U and conduit 4I provides the liquid reaction head for raising liquid in riser tubes I6 by vapor-lift acvessel 4I and conduit 4I into the lower space I1 of generator I l. Water vapor is'expelled out of soiutiou-in generator Il by heating, and the tion. The vessel 40 is of suillcient volume to hold the liquid vdifferential in the system and is of such cross-sectional area that the liquid level therein does not appreciably'vary. so that a substantially constant reaction head is provided for lifting liquid in generator I I.

In accordance with this invention suitable structure is embodied inthe refrigeration system just described in order to transfer non-condensible gases from absorber I4 to condenser II. This structure is hermetically sealed within the system and includes a vertical conduit 41 into which is diverted a portion of the absorption liquid iiowing through conduit 32 from generator Il to absorber I4. The lower epd of conduit 41 is connected to the bottom part of a vessel 4l having at an intermediate region thereof a dividing wall ase il@ li'orrned with a restriction or orice 50. The dividing wall Q9 and bottom of vessel 48 are formed with raised portions to receive and hold in position a cylindrical-shaped screen I.

To thel lower part of absorber it is connected a conduit 52 having an inverted U-shaped portion one leg of which is connected to an upper space 53 of vessel 138. At a region just above the dividing wall t9 is connected the upper curved or rounded portion of a conduit 5B, the lower end of which extends into the lower part of a chamber 55 formedn by vessell 56. To the upper part of chamber 55 is connected aconduit 5l which extends vertically upward andis connected at its upper end to conduit- 25 through which expelled vapor ows from generator IU to condenser ti. To van intermediate part of vessel 55 is connected an overflow conduit 58 which is connected at its lower end to conduit 3l through which absorption liquid iiows from absorber it to liquid heat exchanger 38. Thus, the absorption refrigeration system comprises the lrst or main circuit for the absorption solution including the conduit d2 connectedto the separating vessel it at the top of the generator it. the first passage of the liquid heat exchanger 38, conduit 32. absorber lil, conduit 5l, second passage of the liquid heat exchanger 58, conduit 59, vessel fltl, conduit di and generator it; and an auxiliary branch circuit for the absorption solution connected between the conduits 32 and 3l and including conduit 'l. vessel 65, conduit 56, vessel 55 and conduit 5d.

After the refrigeration system is charged with a suitable water solution of refrigerant in absorption liquid, the system is evacuated in any suitable manner, as, for example, by a vacuum pump 55 connected by a conduit 58 to the lower part of condenser il. A suitable valve @l is provided in conduit 5@ to maintain the system at the evacuated low pressure,

During the operation of the refrigeration system, nonccndensible gases may collect in condenser ii, evaporator l2 and absorber lil. The non-condensible gases in the lower pressure side of .the system are carried to the bottom part of absorber id by the sweeping action of the water vapor entering the top of the absorber through the headers 35. By sweeping action it is meant that a downward movement is imparted to the non-condensible gases by the high veloci-ty of the water vapor flowing into the absorber. The non condensible gases are transferred from absorber ifi to condenser i i by diverting into conduit il a small portion of the absorption liquid flowing tol ward the absorber. The cylindrical screen 5I in'- sures removal of any matter in the absorption liquid which may tend to clog the orifice 5t, and the orice in turn restricts and limits the rate at which liquid is divertedinto conduit @l from the main stream of absorption liquid ilowing through conduit 52.

The liquid passing into the upper space 53' of vessel i8 through orice 5@ enters the open upper end of conduit 55, so that the conduit is closedo and sealed from the non-condensible gases passing into space 53 from absorber I4 through conduitl 52. in the upwardly extending curved or bent portion of conduit 5.5, the small quantity of liquid within 'the open end is siphoned past the bend into the liquid level falls in space 53 below the upper openv end of conduit 54 to permit non-condensible gas When the liquid level rises sufficientlyto pass into the upper bent or curved portion of the conduit. The liquid levelin space 53 then rises to close and seal oil' the upper end of conduit 54 and, when the liquid level again rises suiiiciently, a small quantity of liquid is once more siphoned into the downwardly depending portion of conduit 54. In this manner small volumes of non-condensible gases are withdrawn from the lower part ofabsorber I4 and trapped between successive bodies or slugs of liquid formed at the upper curved or bent portion of conduit 56.

The conduit 5B preferably is of such size that iiow of liquid is not appreciably restricted with the internal diameter being such that gas and liquid `cannot pass each other while flowing through the conduit. When employing a lithium chloride solution of about concentration by weight in a system of the type described, a conduit having an internal diameter of about .25 inch has operated in a satisfactory manner to trap small quantities of g-as between slugs or bodies of liquid.

As the slugs of liquid and trapped gas pass downward through conduit 55 the gas is compressed. From the lower end of conduit 515 the gas passes upwardly through liquid in chamber 55 and then ows through conduit 57 into conduit 25. The non-condensible gases entering conduit 23 are swept into the upper part of condenser il by the expelled vapor ilowing upward from generator Il) at ai relatively high velocity.

The absorption liquid entering chamber 55 through conduit 5d overows from vessel 58 through conduit 58 to join absorption liquid flowing from absorber I 5 through conduit 31. It will be apparent that conduits l'l, 5d and 58 and interconnected vessels d8 and 55 provide a path of flow for absorption liquid which is in parallel with absorber Iii' and about which liquid is by-passed. By returning the diverted or vby-passed absorption liquid to generator I@ through heat exchanger 38 instead of by passingthe latter, all of the liquid flowing to the generator hows in heat exchange relation with liquid iiowing from the generator, so that loss of heat within the system is avoided. i

The parts just described for providing a bypass for absorption liquid are properly proporl5. This is readily accomplished'by making conduit 5d of proper length and locating the upper 'i connection of overiiow conduit 58 sufficiently high at the side of vessel 56. The gas passing downward through conduit 54 is compressed t0 a pressure which equals the pressure existing in condenser I I plus the height of the liquid column in vessel 56, thatis, the height of liquid 'between the lower end of conduit 54 and the liquid surface level at the connection of overflow conduit 58.

The non-condensible gases which may collect in condenser II. together with the gases transferred from the absorber I4, are carried to the dead or far end of condenser "I I in the bottom part thereof by the sweeping effect of the ex. p elled'water 4vapor flowing into rthe condenserl The non-condensible gases transferred from the absorber I4 to condenser I I occupy considerably less space in the condenser than in the absorber inasmuch as the condenser is at higher pressure than the absorber. In a refrigeration system of the kind described, by way of example, the normal pressure in the absorber may be about 9 mm. H g with the pressure in the condenser about 56 mm. Hg. With the transferred gases being at a higher pressure in condenser II than in absorber I2, it will be evident that considerably less space is-taken up by the gas in the higher pressure side of the refrigerator system.

Moreover, the collection of non-condensible gases in condenser II is not subject to the same serious objections that arise when such gases collect in the absorber. In the absorber I4, for example, objectionable increase of pressure takes place with accumulation of non-condensible gases therein. Since the temperature of evaporator I2 is dependent upon the pressure therein, it will be` seen that any increase in pressure in the low pressure side of the system tends to bring about an increase in evaporator temperature. In addition, the eiectiveness of the absorber is reduced because the non-condensible gases occupy and render ineffective a part4 of the absorber in which absorption of water vapor by absorption liquid is normally effected. In condenser II, on the other hand, the only real objection to collection of noncondensible gases therein is that the eective condensing surface is reduced. As pointed out above, however, the non-condensible gases occupy less space in the condenser than in the absorber because of the higher pressure existing in the condenser. A further advantage resultingfrom the transfer of non-condensiblegases from the absorber to the condenser is that, in removing such gases from the system, a vacuum pump connected to the condenser is not requiredv to pump'to as low a pressure as when connected to the absorber in the low pressures side of the refrigeration system. The vacuum pump 59 may be of any suitable type and operated from time to time to limit the quantity of non-condensible gases permitted to collect in the lower part of condenser I I. In view of the considerably higher pressure prevailing in the condenser I I than in the absorber I 4, a less 'of at least 30 pounds per square inch.

While a single embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as pointed out in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A two-pressure refrigerating system having two sides adapted 'to operate at different pressures and including a. plurality of parts inter; connected to provide a first circuit for circulation of absorption liquid, an auxiliary branch cir-4.

cuit connected to the nrst circuit and in which absorption liquid is. adaptedio flow, said auxiliary branch circuit having one point connected for communication with one side of the system and another point connected for communication with the other side of the system. said auxiliary branch circuit being so constructed and arranged that absorption liquid flowing therethrough is capable of transferring non-condensible gas from said one point to said other point, said auxiliary branch circuit being lso connected with said ilrst circuit that circulation of liquid in said first circuit effects iiow of liquid in said auxiliary 'branch circuit.

2. A two-pressure refrigerating system having vtwo sides adapted to operate at different pressures and including a plurality of parts interconnected to provide a first closed circuit for circulation of liquid, means to produce circulation of liquid insaid first circuit by vapor-lift action, an auxiliary branch circuit connected to the first circuit and in which liquid is adapted to flow, said auxiliary branch circuit having one point connected for communication with one side and another point connected for communication with the other side of the system, said auxiliary branch circuit being so constructed and arranged that liquid flowing therethrough is capable of transferring non-condensible gas from said one point to said other point, and said auxiliary branch circuit being associated with said iirst circuit in such a manner that liquid is diverted from the first circuit into the auxiliary branch circuit to effect said transfer of gas from said one point to said other point and thereafter returned to said rst circuit. 4

3. A two-pressure refrigerating system having two sides adapted to operate at different pressures, one of said sides including a generatorand a. condenser and the other including an evaporator and an absorber, means including a heat exchanger to provide a circuit for circulation of absorption liquid through and between said generator and said absorber, said circuit being provided with a by-passhaving one point in com- Y munication with said one side and another point in communication with said other side, said bypass being so constructed and arranged that a portion 'of the liquid flowing to said absorber is diverted into the by-pass to transfer noncon densible gas from said one point to said other point. and said by-pass providing a path of flow for diverted liquid .from said other point to a part of said circuit through which absorption liquid iiows from said absorber toward said generator and at a region thereof before such liquid passes lower end thereof extending into the bottom part of said chamber, means for diverting into the upper end of said conduit a part of the absorption liquid flowing from the generator to the absorber, the upper end of said conduitbeing in gas discharged from the lower end of said co open communication with the absorber whereby non-condensible gas collecting in the absorber is entrained by the diverted absorption liquid, and conduit means connecting the upper part of said chamber and said condenser whereby entrained duit can flow tothe condenser. Y

5. A refrigeration system having a plurality of parts including an absorber connected to Iprovide a circuit for circulation of absorption solution in which refrigerant vapor is absorbed into solution in the absorber and structurelwhereby only a portion of the circulating absorption solution is utilized to trap gas in the absorber non-absorbable by the solution therein and transfer such gas from the absorber to another part of the system, said structure including a vertically extending conduit having the upper end associated with one region of said circuit and the lower end associated with another region of said circuit, the upper end of said conduit also being in communication with said absorber, and said structure being so constructed and arranged that a portion of the absorption liquid flowing to said absorber for use therein is diverted from said circuit into said conduit at said one region and utilized in trap gas in said conduit, the gas carried downwardly in said conduit by diverted liquid passing vfrom the lower end of said conduit to said other part, andA said diverted liquid passing from the lower end of said conduit and mix.- ing with liquid circulating in said circuit at said other region.

6. A refrigeration system having a-plurality of parts including a generaton'an absorber, means connecting the aforementioned parts to provide a circuit for circulation of absorptionrsolution in which refrigerant vapor is absorbed into solution in the absorber and vapor is expelled from solution in the generator, and structure embodied in the system whereby only a portion of the circulating absorption solution owing toward said absorber is utilized to trap gas in the absorber nonabsorbable by the solution therein and transfer such gas from the absorber to the condenser,

said

owing toward said absorber into contact with non-condensible gas' collecting in said absorber at a region constituting the farthest point in the path of now of non-condensible gases swept into such region by refrigerant vapor formed in said evaporator. Y

- 9. An absorption r frigeration system comprising a plurality of parts including an evaporator in which evaporation `of refrigerant takes place in a partial vacuum, anabsorber always in open .A communication with said evaporator totprovide passage means whereby fluid only passes in one direction from said evaporator to said absorber, a generator, a condenser having an exhaust port for inert gas, said absorber and said generator being interconnected to provide a circuit for circulation of absorption liquid, structure for trans- 'ferring non-condensible gas from said ,absorber to said condenser and comprising a -vertically extending conduit having the upper end associated with one region of said circuit and the lower end associated with another region of said circuit, the

upper end of said conduit also being in communication with a portion of said absorber con- `stituting the farthest point in the path of flow of non-condensible gases swept into such portion by :refrigerant vapor formed in said evaporator structure being so constructed and arranged that gas non-absorbable in the absorber is always trapped by absorption solution during operation of the system and while circulation of absorption' solution is eected.

7. An absorption refrigeration system comprising a plurality of parts including an absorber interconnected for circulation of liquid and refrigerant, structurefor exhausting non-condensible gas from saidV absorber, said structure including means for bringing only a portion vof such circulating liquid into contact with non-condensible gas collecting in said absorber at a region constituting the farthest point in the path of ow of non-condensible gases swept into such region by refrigerant vapor introduced into said absorber.

8. An absorption refrigeration system comprising a plurality of interconnected parts including an evaporator in which evaporation of liquid refrigerant takes place and an absorption liquid circuit including an absorber in open communi-.- cation with said evaporator, vstructure, for exhausting non-condensible gas from said absorber.

said structure including means for bringing only and passing ata high velocity through said passage means into said absorber, saidstructure being so constructed and arranged that a portion of the absorption liquid circulating in the system is diverted at said one region and utilized to trap gas in said conduit, the gas carried downwardly in said conduit by diverted liquid passing from the lower end of said conduit to said condenser for exhaustion therefrom, and said diverted liquid passing from the lower end of 'said conduit and mixing with liquid circulating in said circuit at said other region. a

10. A two-pressure system comprising a plurality of interconnected elements to provide a closed circuit for circulating absorption liquid, a. vessel connected in the circuit to receiv'e absorption liquid at the bottom r thereof and non-condensible gases at the top tends, and conduits connecting the upper. and` lower portions of the'separating chamber to the circuit whereby absorption liquid entering the bottom of the vessel intermittently sipnons' into the curved upper end ofthe vertical conduit to trap non-condensible gases therein between 81u88 of liquid and transfer :the liquid andina to the separating chamber, said gas and liquid separating in the separating chamber and nowing through the conduits to other parts of the circuit. PHILIP P. ANDERSON. Jn.

absorption refrigeration- 

